New Water Supply

[katielou370]

Hi,

I just wondered if someone could help. I currently have a flat above a commercial property and we were on a joint water supply. We have completed all the internal work and the water board have done their external work. My contractor is now saying that he needs to connect an earth to the new pipes and that he has to drag this across the flat from the opposite side where the RCD is located. Is there any way he could take an earth from the boiler which is in the room above where the new pipe comes in.

Thanks

[buildersmate]

The rules say that equipotential bonding to main services must be effected as close as possible to the point of entry of the service to the building.
I suspect these people know what they are doing, but they should be able to run it so you can't see it.

[katielou370]

Is this expensive to do and is it a difficult job? From the sounds of it the contractor is a bit confused and has even spoke about the possibility of putting a new earthing rod outside the flat for the new water supply.

[buildersmate]

A qualified electrician should be doing this job. Only he will have the equipment to test the resistance of the earthing connection. Such a person ought not to be confused.
Personally I don't see why they are talking about a new earthing rod outside - if the resistance to earth was low enough before, I don't see why they are needing to break the previous earth connection - unless you have had a new consumer unit (meter) installed as well.
Neither do I see why they are seeking to charge you extra for this. If they quoted for the job, they quoted for the whole job - unless there was some caveat pointing this out on the Order Confirmation?

[buildersmate]

No, it isn't difficult - just a length of cable and a simple test. Perhaps an hour of an electrician's time. But if they are talking about new earth rods, that's more messy

[katielou370]

I just think the contractor has got a bit carried away with things and is now finding little extras to charge for. With me and my partner being quite young and not living there they have a key and let themselves in and do whatever - we would never know the difference I guess. He is not a qualified electrician - I do know a good one though so I will ask him to leave the job as it is and ask the electrician to sort out the earth to the new supply. Can I just ask will it just be the new bit of pipe that needs earthing as all our other water based appliances should still be earthing from the previous water supply?

[buildersmate]

IMHO, the most that could be required is a new earthing cable between your meter and the point where the new water supply enters the flat.
However this post has been overtaken by your other one.